Math Placement

Current mathematics ACT/SAT scores, Math Placement Exam scores, and Advanced Placement (AP) calculus and statistics scores are used for placement in 1000-level and 2000-level mathematics and statistics courses. A current score is defined as a score from an exam taken within the Math Prerequisite Acceptability Time Limit (MPATL).

Students may satisfy the Math Acceptability Prerequisite Time Limit in several ways:

• A valid math ACT exam score taken within the past 12 months.
• A valid math SAT exam score taken within the past 12 months.
• Pass a concurrent enrollment course in Math 1050 or Math 1060 within the past 12 months. This only applies to those courses that use Math 1050 and/or Math 1060 as a prerequisite.
• A valid Math Placement Exam (MPE) score taken within the past 12 months for incoming students or a valid MPE score taken within the past three successive semesters (including summer semester) for students already enrolled at USU.
• Pass the appropriate prerequisite course or courses within the past three semesters including summer semester.

Prerequisites for the math classes listed below must be completed on or after (not before) the following dates, in order to fall within the MPATL for the listed semester: fall semester—August 15 of the previous year; spring semester—January 1 of the previous year; summer semester—June 1 of the previous year.

Students who are registering for a math class at USU for the first time who have a math ACT score of less than 23 or a math SAT score of less than 540 (whether current or not) are required to take the Math Placement Exam administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. A student’s score on the Math Placement Exam will be used to determine his or her placement in appropriate mathematics or statistics course.

Students who are registering for a math class for the first time who have a current math ACT score of at least 23 or a current math SAT score of at least 540 do not need to take the Math Placement Exam. However, for each of the courses listed below, one of the following prerequisites, achieved within the MPATL, is required for enrollment.

For students needing a satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam (MPE) to meet an enrollment requirement for any course listed below, the deadline for meeting this requirement is the end of the first week of classes. A maximum of three attempts to achieve a satisfactory score on the MPE is allowed each semester.

Math Placement Exam

Regardless of any previous record, students with an ACT mathematics score of less than 23 are required to take the Math Placement Test administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In addition, students who do not meet the prerequisite acceptability time limit requirement must take the Math Placement Test. The scores for placement in MATH 1010  and STAT 1040  should be used as an indication of where a student should be placed. The fee for taking the Math Placement Test is $10, and students may take the test as required. The exams will be given at specified times in Geology 405 or in Geology 310. Students with special circumstances will be able to take the Math Placement Test in Lund Hall.

The Math Placement Test is administered online using an Internet browser. Students will be advised based on the results obtained on the Math Placement Test. Students may choose to enroll in a one-week math refresher course offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The fee for this course is $100 and includes the fee for taking the Math Placement Test at the beginning of the course and again at the end of the course. Refresher courses will be offered at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, either during the week before the semester begins or during the first week of classes (based on when the semester begins).

Placement into Math Classes

Credits Awarded for AP Calculus Exams

Entering students with current passing scores on AP calculus or statistics exams will be awarded credits as shown below:

Even if not required, students may opt to take the Math Placement Test through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, strictly for advising purposes.

The calculus courses MATH 1210 , MATH 1220 , and MATH 2210  are designed for students majoring in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering. MATH 1100  (Calculus Techniques) is designed primarily for students majoring in business. All students in calculus classes need strong backgrounds in the material covered in MATH 1010  and MATH 1050 .   In addition, the MATH 1210 , MATH 1220 , and MATH 2210  sequence requires a sound understanding of trigonometry (MATH 1060 ).

Students with outstanding mathematics records in high school and transfer students with some experience in calculus may wish to consult with a departmental advisor prior to registration.